Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not accept the Deputy's assertion. This was given careful consideration. Clearly, marketing and advertising are inherent parts of sponsorship. The Government and the working group looked carefully at this in the 19 submissions that were made. There will be serious regulation of both the marketing and the advertising, which have an impact on young people and particularly on those who are vulnerable to excessive drinking.

As was pointed out by every group, access and affordability are the key issues that have an impact on young people in respect of drink and the consequences of continuous over-drinking. Under the proposed legislation the Minister will be able to introduce restrictive practices for marketing campaigns to ensure that alcohol products are not produced, designed or promoted to appeal to children. On those grounds, the difference between drink and tobacco is quite clear. Marketing and advertising are inherent parts of sponsorship and for that reason the general scheme of the Bill published by the Minister will regulate those aspects of marketing and advertising which might impact directly on young people and particularly children.

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